Winter Boots

Recent Winter Boot Reviews

The North Face Chilkat 400 II

      BASIC INFORMATION The North Face Chilkats (the current model is called the Chilkat V 400, I believe) has been a good, sturdy, cold weather boot for me so far. They’re sold in men’s sizes 7-13 and women’s sizes 5-11. They have 400 gram synthetic insulation, they’re waterproof, 10 inches tall, and my pair of men’s size 12 weighs four pounds. The heel has a small "shelf" that would probably be helpful with snowshoe bindings. [it hasn’t snowed here since I got these, so no chance… Full review

Merrell Continuum Boot

Best boot I’ve ever owned. SAR volunteer who got them new and have literally used them to pieces. I not only used them for three seasons of SAR call-outs but for personal backpacking/hiking trips as well. They have been the best boot I have ever owned. They are, much to my great disappointment, beyond repair now but lasted for over 5 years with heavy, hard terrain use. Waterproof until I literally wore them out. Full review

Steger Mukluks Arctic

Quite possibly the best winter boots available       So, I have had these boots for about four months now. I have used them working as a wilderness guide in Ruka, Finland. I have primarily used these snowmobiling, ice fishing and snowshoeing, from temperatures of +3C to -30C. I think I have gotten a very good idea of these boots at this point. I love them. I seriously, seriously love these boots.  I went back and forth on these for like two years before I finally squeezed the trigger on them. Full review

Steger Mukluks Arctic

I could not find zero-drop boots that were warm enough for Canada, and finally came across these mukluks. I got a wide, as other brands were too narrow. They fit very comfortably, and I've used them for about 20 trips with absolutely no issues with cold, even when my hands/face get cold (about -30°c). Very happy with them. Would buy again. Full review

Kamik Nation Pro

I've used these for over two years now and I am very pleased. I also have a pair of Sorel Caribou, but those stay in the closet now that I have these. I can hike all day in them. I've noticed the liner gets moist from perspiration. When backpacking on one trip my toes got cold in the evening even though the temperature was only about 30°F. I solved this problem by using a vapor barrier and by carrying a spare set of liners (purchased from Kamik website). The moist liners dry overnight in my sleeping… Full review

The North Face Chilkat IV

These boots are quite warm, which is good, but I got about 10 uses out of them over two years before the outsole delaminated and the rubber all around the boot started to crack. I bought these boots to wear when snowshoeing and when walking around ski areas. I got about 10 uses out of them, and they were very warm. The sole on the right boot started to fall off, and the rubber around the rest of the boot began to crack, so I tried to take them back to REI, but REI claims their "lifetime" warranty… Full review

The North Face Chilkat IV

Used these boots less than 12 times and they fell apart. These beauties should be appropriately named the Chilkrap boots, because that is what they are crap! Full review

Steger Mukluks Arctic

These boots will leak dye all over your floor and your feet, and the company will do nothing at all about it. Sorry, people. Do yourself a favor and buy Manitobah Mukluks instead. Full review

Baffin Apex

Warm, good fit, stable grip. I don't have a photo of these and no longer own them, but I used them in the Arctic for three years with fairly good success. The only times they failed me were when standing long in one spot by a seal hole in the coldest times in dark season (below -45°C). In these cases the issue was easily resolved by local Inuit trick of standing on a winter caribou fur mat. I now own the similar Epic boot and love it, but needed two sizes up to avoid cutting off the circulation. Full review